 |
Re: [RC] what to feed starving horses? - Diane TrefethenDear Linda,Here is a link that covers two studies at UC Davis on the rehabilitation of starved horses: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vetext/animalwelfare/equine/horseSkinnyCarbohydrates.1007.pdf The conclusions from both studies is that a diet of JUST high quality alfalfa hay, fed in small but steadily increasing amounts, is the best refeeding program for starved horse when compared to sweet feed, oat hay, and alfalfa supplemented with corn oil. The most dangerous diet consisted of sweet feed. The biggest problem with feeding starved horses is Refeeding Syndrome which can cause death in 3-7 days. If you haven't already, I would have my vet do a body score evaluation as well as make an estimate of what *percentage* of normal each of the horses have dropped to. That information will assist you in determining the level of permanent damage to the horses. This link is to a course on how to evaluate a horse's body condition score. I believe you can log on as just a guest. http://www.extension.org/pages/HorseQuest_Learning_Lesson:How_to_Body_Condition_Score_Horses This link is to an article by Susan Evans Garlinghouse, DVM, on scoring body condition. There are also other useful articles on her website regarding body condition. http://www.shady-acres.com/susan/conditionscore.shtml Good luck with your rescues. With kindest regards, Diane Trefethen AERC #2691 West Region cc: Ridecamp =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|